Prophecy and Modern Times by W. Cleon Skousen is a challenging book for our day. The book helps the reader understand prophecy as well as the purpose for prophecy.
The various sections of Prophecy and Modern Times deal with pertinent, stimulating material. The first section, Prophecy concerning America, includes answers to puzzling questions such as the ten tribes, the American Indian, and other matters. The section, Prophecy concerning Palestine, includes the dedication of that country for the preaching of the gospel, the peculiar position Palestine has maintained in world politics through the ages, and other subjects. The third section deals with Prophecy concerning the Millennium, which relates what will occur at the advent of the Savior, the return of the city of Enoch, and the establishment of a just government upon the earth, as well as other material.
Prophecy and Modern Times is a hopeful book which leaves the reader with a curious sense of well-being as a result of the information it imparts. It is a book that people will find great satisfaction in owning, reading, rereading, and discussing. Prophecy and Modern Times by W. Cleon Skousen should be in the library of every well-informed Latter-day Saint. This book explains what lies ahead in the latter days. Using the scriptures and the writings of church leaders, he discusses what we know about the final days before the Second Coming and the commencement of the Millennium.
Excerpt from Prophecy & Modern Times:
During 1830-1831, the feature stories of the American press carried news of a threatened civil war. The controversy was over the question of "Nullification." Did South Carolina have the right to nullify the new Federal tariff law? The obvious effect of such a right would be the annihilation of the powers of Congress. If South Carolina could nullify a Federal law, so could other states. It would be the end of the Union.
Andrew Jackson was President and the political leaders of all parties waited anxiously to see what he would do. If he bowed meekly to this spirit of rebellion, other states would follow. If he dispatched an army to South Carolina to enforce the Federal law, many predicted strong and immediate military resistance.
President Jackson was not a "church" man but he was a praying man. In this moment of national crisis he was pleading for divine guidance. Would there be civil war? What could he do to avoid it?
The President did not ask for a revelation, merely wisdom. As subsequent events clearly proved, his prayers were answered. His "wisdom" averted civil war in the United States for a whole generation.
But the prayers of President Jackson were more completely though indirectly answered through a divine manifestation which warned the people of the United States that eventually civil war would engulf the nation. The revelation was not received in the White House nor did it come to the President. It came to a humble young man, twenty-seven years of age, who was residing at Kirtland, Ohio. His name was Joseph Smith.
It was Christmas day, 1832, nearly three years after the famous debate on "Nullification" between Webster and Hayne that Joseph Smith received the answer to the most provoking and dynamic issue in the nation:
"Thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls.... For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations in order to defend themselves.... And it shall come to pass after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war."
On December 25, 1832, Joseph Smith therefore knew six specific things which the Lord had decreed would shortly come to pass:
1. That in spite of the President's efforts there would be a civil war in the United States.
2. That it would begin with the rebellion of South Carolina.
3. That the spirit of rebellion would spread among the "Southern States" until they divided against the Northern States.
4. That it would be a war of major proportions resulting in the death and misery of many souls.
5. That the Southern States would call on foreign nations, including Great Britain, to assist them in their cause.
6. That slavery rather than "nullification" would be the issue and that slaves would rise against their masters and be marshaled for war.
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